Friday, June 3, 2011

recent travels - Cordoba

Stay: Hotel Hospes Palacio del Bailio
Built between the 16th and 18th centuries this traditional Andalusian agrarian estate has been meticulously restored and finely balanced with contemporary design. Original detailing such as wrought-iron balcony railings, terracotta tiles, Moorish decorative elements and a lavishly painted ceiling have been artfully combined with understated modern touches at the Hospes Palacio del Bailio in Cordoba. Rich fabrics and textures in champagne and copper tones are offset by dark walnut wood and light polished marble floors throughout the interiors – solid slabs of black stone from Cordoba lead to the gardens outside, thus creating a stylistic bridge from the interior to the exterior.

Hospes Palacio del Bailio is composed of several buildings arranged around a total of five patios. The main patio is also the most spectacular as the traditional paving has been replaced with a glass floor, revealing a dramatic perspective on the Roman ruins buried four and a half metres below. Restoring paintings and frescos from the 19th century is a further example of the care and attention given to the revitalisation of past beauty at the Hospes Palacio del Bailío. The clean pure lines, the sense of history and luxury all reflect the peace and quiet you will enjoy at this Andalusian getaway.